The NYC Workforce Drop with NYCETC’s Gregory J. Morris – Details, episodes & analysis

In our inaugural podcast episode, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris breaks down the urgent realities shaping New York City’s workforce development ecosystem. From how public dollars are being spent to support job seekers to the widening gap between low-wage and high-wage workers, Gregory brings sharp insight and lived experience to a critical conversation.

This episode is your inside look at:

Where New York City’s $640M workforce funding is really going, and who it’s leaving behind.

A reality check on underemployment in NYC, including the overlooked crisis facing middle-wage earners.

Why adult workforce development is underfunded and how that impacts long-term economic mobility.

The challenges nonprofits face in navigating NYC's contracting and procurement systems.

A candid call to philanthropy and business leaders to commit to long-term, multi-year workforce investments.

How equity, accessibility, and diversity must become core tenets of the city’s workforce future.

With underemployment topping 900,000 residents, stagnant wages in fast-growing industries like healthcare and hospitality, and a vanishing middle class, NYC must rethink how it invests in its workers.

This episode dives into the disconnect between economic development and workforce development, and how to fix it. Whether you’re a policymaker, nonprofit leader, business owner, funder, or job seeker, this episode lays out what’s at stake and what must change.

Explore the full conversation on how to build a workforce system that works for everyone.

Topics: Workforce development, public funding, underemployment, youth employment, equity, nonprofit contracting, economic mobility, NYC jobs, middle class, training programs

In this mini episode, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris and Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh sit down to unpack the latest indictments to drop against seven individuals, including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, and this week's scandal involving Winnie Greco — a longtime ally of Mayor Adams who resigned last year as his Asian community liaison after being the subject of multiple investigations.

Greco has recently re-emerged as a visible presence in the mayor’s re-election campaign and reportedly attempted to hand THE CITY reporter Katie Honan a wad of cash in a red envelope tucked inside an open bag of potato chips.

Greg and Grace share their first impressions of the controversy and discuss what it reveals about public trust and accountability across all levels of government, especially with mayoral elections on the horizon this fall.

Mini episodes of The NYC Workforce Drop deliver high-impact insights in under 15 minutes, perfect for leaders on the go who want clear analysis and bold ideas for NYC’s workforce future.

Topics: scandal, political accountability, mayoral elections, public trust, ethics in government, media and transparency, voter confidence, civic engagement, NYC politics, watchdog journalism, leadership credibility

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Gregory J. Morris sits down with David Fischer, Interim Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP), for a conversation on the state of New York’s workforce development system and what it will take to unlock true mobility for workers.

Drawing on his decades of leadership across city government, education, philanthropy, and nonprofit advocacy, David reflects on the throughline of his career: building systems that center people. From his early work founding the workforce policy desk at the Center for an Urban Future, to championing CTE innovation at NYC DOE, to launching the Center for Youth Employment, his trajectory underscores the power of aligning policy, philanthropy, and lived experience.

Greg and David unpack the systemic challenges holding back progress: fragmented funding streams, misaligned performance metrics, and a scarcity mindset that leads to short-term fixes rather than durable solutions. 

The conversation highlights what’s at stake if New York continues to underinvest in its workforce infrastructure, and what’s possible if policymakers treat workforce equity as essential to the state’s future competitiveness and inclusive growth.

This episode offers a blueprint for moving from “just employment” to real mobility, calling on listeners, advocates, and policymakers alike to help reclaim the ladder of opportunity for New Yorkers too often left behind.
Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Topics: Workforce policy reform, NYATEP, systemic alignment, workforce equity, middle-wage jobs, care economy, reskilling pathways, poverty and opportunity, NYCETC, funding fragmentation, long-term investment, career mobility

Gregory J. Morris sits down with Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, for a powerful conversation about purpose-driven leadership, the realities of economic deprivation, and the urgent need to rethink how we measure and achieve economic dignity for New Yorkers.

Jennifer opens up about her personal journey, from growing up as the daughter of civil rights leader Rev. William Augustus Jones Jr. to facing and overcoming a life-threatening battle with leukemia. Through stories of faith, family, and recovery, she shares how these deeply formative experiences shaped her unwavering commitment to service, equity, and systems change.

Greg and Jennifer dig into her career spanning senior city government roles, leading the NYC Racial Justice Commission, and shepherding the groundbreaking “True Cost of Living” ballot measure into law. They unpack the concept of “structural economic deprivation,” revealing how outdated poverty metrics and flawed policy design leave too many working New Yorkers unable to make ends meet.

From low wages and benefits cliffs to inaccessible child care and the often-overlooked toll of trauma, Jennifer makes the case for a new framework, one that treats advocacy, wraparound supports, and trauma-informed care as essential pillars of workforce development. 

This conversation moves from the deeply personal to the urgently political, offering both inspiration and a clear-eyed call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and anyone who believes that economic security should be a right, not a privilege.

Stream the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with changemakers, industry leaders, and the voices shaping New York’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: Purpose-driven leadership, structural economic deprivation, economic dignity, workforce equity, poverty measurement reform, trauma-informed care, advocacy as infrastructure, FPWA, True Cost of Living, NYC public policy, racial equity, systemic change, child care access, wraparound supports, NYCETC

In this mini episode, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris issues an urgent call to action in response to the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the real-time threats it poses to essential safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP. 

Greg reflects on NYCETC’s recent mobilization, where over 100 organizations joined a collective letter opposing the federal government’s push toward economic contraction. He discusses why any effort to reduce access to healthcare and food security is also an attack on economic mobility, equitable job opportunities, and employment growth.

If New York is to remain a place of opportunity, leaders at every level must rethink how we use our dollars, how we collaborate, and how we move forward with collective strength.

Mini episodes of The NYC Workforce Drop deliver high-impact insights in under 15 minutes, perfect for leaders on the go who want clear analysis and bold ideas for NYC’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: federal policy, Medicaid, SNAP, safety net cuts, economic contraction, workforce stability, family security, public investment, collective action, economic mobility, civic engagement, NYCETC

Gregory J. Morris is joined by Maria Lizardo, Executive Director of NMIC and longtime human services leader, for a powerful and personal conversation about what it takes to lead with heart, humility, and impact in today’s nonprofit sector.

Maria reflects on her journey from organizing in Washington Heights to becoming NMIC’s first Latina Executive Director, sharing how her upbringing, early professional experiences, and personal conviction shaped her values-driven leadership style. 

Together, Greg and Maria confront one of the most avoided topics in the nonprofit world: failure. From funder pressures to cultural expectations, Maria lays out the invisible costs of perfectionism and, in particular, the toll it takes on women of color in leadership. They unpack why embracing failure is a critical function of innovation, healing, and sustainable systems change.

As the episode moves through leadership lessons, service delivery challenges, and broader calls to action for city and state leaders, Maria offers wisdom forged through decades of advocacy and organizing. Care is infrastructure, metrics must serve the mission (not the other way around), and systems must make room for truth, risk, and real transformation.

Stream the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with changemakers, industry leaders, and the voices shaping New York’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Topics: Nonprofit leadership, cultural stigma around failure, women of color in leadership, workforce equity, human services workforce, immigrant communities, Latina leadership, systemic advocacy, care infrastructure, NMIC, NYC public policy, trust-based funding, NYCETC

In this first mini episode, Gregory J. Morris offers a look at what New York City’s 2025 Democratic primary results mean for the future of workers, affordability, and public investment. As general election season heats up, this episode delivers a sharp call to action for incoming leadership: workforce equity and affordability aren’t side issues; they are the foundation of a thriving city.

Greg lays out the stakes: early policy signals from candidates, and the urgent need for real outcomes. He challenges City Hall to embrace workforce providers as strategic partners in building an inclusive and resilient New York City.

This mini episode delivers focused insights on what the primary reveals about voter priorities on jobs, cost of living, and public services; what real leadership requires: smart investments, transparent metrics, and collaboration; why the next administration must treat affordability, equity, and mobility as interconnected

Topics: NYC mayoral primary, workforce equity, affordability, economic mobility, public investment, labor market, NYCETC

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Gregory J. Morris sits down with Andrew Rasiej, civic and social entrepreneur, technology strategist, and Founder of Civic Hall @ Union Square. Together, they explore Andrew’s roots in grassroots innovation, the sweeping disruption of generative AI, and what city and state leaders must do to build a more equitable digital economy.

The discussion begins with Andrew’s early years transforming Irving Plaza into a community space and witnessing the stark digital divide just outside his window. That awareness sparked a decades-long journey: from early efforts to bring tech access to public schools to launching Civic Hall as a national hub for innovation. Andrew shares the moments that shaped his career and why equity has always been the driving force behind his work.

With AI accelerating at breakneck speed, Andrew and Greg examine the dramatic reset now facing workforce systems across the country. From training pipelines and school curricula to outdated infrastructure, they unpack why this moment demands more than incremental change and what it means for middle-skill workers who risk being left behind.

This episode offers a powerful call to action for policymakers, nonprofit leaders, technologists, and public workforce officials: if we’re to build an equitable AI future, we must fundamentally rethink how we train, govern, and lead in the digital age.

Whether you're navigating workforce funding, leading public systems, or trying to understand what AI means for the future of work, this episode offers sharp insights, personal reflections, and a roadmap for what comes next.

Stream the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with changemakers, industry leaders, and the voices shaping New York’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: AI disruption, civic tech, workforce innovation, equity, digital access, public policy, training infrastructure, Civic Hall, middle-skill jobs, NYC digital future, leadership in tech

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, host Gregory J. Morris, CEO of NYCETC, sits down with David Lebenstein Executive Managing Director and Co-Chair of Cushman & Wakefield’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Group, for a deep dive into how real estate decisions shape the future of New York City’s workforce and nonprofit sector.

Greg and David explore how questions about buying, selling, or leasing space are far more than financial considerations; they are questions about mission, strategy, and organizational survival.

David draws on decades of experience helping nonprofits navigate complex real estate deals, including Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s transformation of its space into a vibrant media hub. He explains why timing is crucial in today’s market, why most nonprofits still lease rather than buy, and how enlightened developers can create win-win solutions for communities.

The conversation covers the impact of remote work on space needs, the challenges of making long-term decisions in a moment of uncertainty, and the opportunity for nonprofits to leverage today’s tenant-friendly market. Greg and David also discuss the intersection of workforce development, city planning, and the “City of Yes” rezoning efforts, highlighting the urgent need for thoughtful leadership and public-private collaboration.

Topics: nonprofit real estate strategy, leasing vs. buying, endowments and long-term sustainability, COVID-19’s impact on office space, community development, mission-driven decision-making, landlord-tenant dynamics, human services funding, workforce equity, affordable housing, zoning and land use, NYC real estate market trends, leadership in times of change, win-win development strategies

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

In this mini episode, real estate veteran David Lebenstein, Executive Managing Director, Not For Profit Specialty Practice Group at Cushman & Wakefield, joins The NYC Workforce Drop to share a powerful story about balancing development pressures with the moral imperative to keep vulnerable New Yorkers housed.

David walks listeners through two real-world examples where nonprofits faced difficult decisions about selling or renovating Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings with residents still living inside. Instead of displacing tenants, David and his partners worked with City Hall to close financial gaps, protect residents, and ensure dignified transitions when relocation was necessary.

The conversation highlights the friction between market forces and mission-driven goals, the importance of creative problem-solving, and the human impact of policy choices.

Mini episodes of The NYC Workforce Drop deliver high-impact insights in under 15 minutes, perfect for leaders on the go who want clear analysis and bold ideas for NYC’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: affordable housing, nonprofit partnerships, SRO preservation, ethical development, tenant protection, City Hall negotiations, housing policy, displacement prevention, public-private collaboration, NYC real estate